Florida Gulf Coast ousts San Diego State to make Sweet 16, NCAA history

Mar. 24, 2013
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The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles bench celebrates during the second half against the San Diego State Aztecs during the third round of the NCAA basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Center. / Howard Smith, USA TODAY Sports USA TODAY Sports

by Jack Carey, USA TODAY Sports

by Jack Carey, USA TODAY Sports

PHILADELPHIA - Sweet 16 dreams are alive and well for Florida Gulf Coast as the Eagles became the first No. 15 seed in NCAA history to reach the regional semifinals with a 81-71 victory against San Diego State on Sunday night in the South Regional.

And just as Florida Gulf Coast (26-10) had done in Friday's stunning upset of second-seeded Georgetown, it was a strong second-half surge that put the Atlantic Sun Conference champion in charge as SDSU wilted under the relentless offensive surge by a team that has been in Division I for only six years and eligible for the postseason for only two.

The Eagles will next meet No. 3 Florida on Friday.

With the Aztecs ahead 46-44 early in the second half, the Eagles seized the momentum and got the Wells Fargo Center rocking.

Christophe Varidel scored on a drive to tie it; Bernard Thompson hit a reverse layup after a steal, and point guard Brett Comer then had two consecutive gorgeous assists on passes to Thompson and Chase Fieler, leading to a pair of fast-break layups.

That put the Eagles ahead 52-46 and forced Aztecs coach Steve Fisher to call timeout. SDSU responded and moved within 54-52 on a drive by Xavier Thames, but the Eagles weren't about to let anything spoil their big night. They scored 17 consecutive points, eight by Atlantic Sun player of the year Sherwood Brown to take a 71-52 lead with less than six minutes left and end the drama.

San Diego State jumped ahead 12-7 in the first six minutes as DeShawn Stephens had six early points while working inside.

The Eagles quickly responded, however, and went on a 10-2 run, fueled by a couple of three-pointers by Varidel. That put FGCU ahead 17-14.

But guards Chase Tapley and James Rahon soon started to heat up for the Aztecs. The two scored five points each in a 17-9 SDSU spurt which put the Aztecs up 31-26.

But the Eagles stayed close, thanks to Thompson's long-range accuracy, and by halftime, FGCU was back within 35-34.

The Aztecs forced eight first-half turnovers by the Eagles and had the slim lead in spite of FGCU shooting 54% from the field and making five of nine three-pointers.